Evaluating The Efficacy Of Combined Cognitive Processing Therapy and Stellate Ganglion Blocks for PTSD

Exclusion Criteria

• •The traumatic event occurred in the past month
• •They are currently suicidal or homicidal (i.e., plan and intent)
• •They have unmanaged psychosis or mania
• •They have not been on a stable dose of psychotropic medication for at least one month by the time of the baseline assessment or are planning to change their medications within 3 months of starting their participation in the study
• •They have completed an evidence-based cognitive behavioral PTSD treatment (e.g., Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure) in the past 3 months or are currently receiving an evidence-based PTSD treatment
• •They have an intellectual disability or significant cognitive impairment that would prevent them from engaging fully in treatment
• •They are currently on any blood-thinning medications or have a coagulopathy -They have any of the following conditions: a recent myocardial infarction, glaucoma, a pre- existing contralateral nerve palsy, severe emphysema, or a cardiac conduction blockade.
• •They are allergic to any of the medications injected (i.e., ropivacaine, lidocaine, propofol)
• •They have an active infection
• •They have a serious or unstable medical illness or instability for which hospitalization may be likely within the next year
• •They have a visual or auditory impairment that would prevent them from fully participating in study activities
• •They are involved with current legal actions related to the traumatic event that is anticipated to be targeted during treatment
• •They have substance dependence that, in the judgment of the Principal Investigator, may require hospitalization if substances were discontinued.
• •Subjects who, at the time of consent, appear to have extenuating life circumstances (e.g., unstable housing, no internet access, etc.) which, in the judgment of the Principal Investigator, could affect the ability to deliver the intervention with fidelity